Turner Entertainment Networks Unveil New Original Content Slates

ATLANTA, March 3: During
the same week as the broadcast network Upfronts, Turner Entertainment Networks
will present a host of new original programming initiatives for TNT, TBS and
truTV at a presentation for advertisers in New York on May 14.

"Our portfolio of
networks is the strongest on television in terms of solid branding, reach and
audience deliveries," said Steve Koonin, the president of Turner
Entertainment Networks. "Everyone in the industry realizes the broadcast
business has been on a steep decline for years— this year in particular.
For advertisers, our networks provide an alternative that is getting better and
better."

David Levy, the president
of Turner Broadcasting Sales and Turner Sports, added: "By dramatically
increasing original programs, Turner Entertainment continues to provide
advertisers with an extensive array of high-profile opportunities to reach
consumers. The strength of our original programming—coupled with seasoned,
proven hits—clearly demonstrates that our networks continue to be true
substitutes for broadcast. We offer our clients a strong collection of assets
as they prepare their television budgets for the Upfronts."

TNT has 14 series in
development and plans to change most of its weekday, prime-time schedule to
originals by 2010. Under the new strategy, TNT will continue to showcase
popular movies on Friday nights and weekends. "This dramatic expansion of
our original programming slate is an important and exciting step in the
evolution of our network," said Michael Wright, the senior VP in charge of
the content creation group for TNT, TBS and TCM. "We've had great results
with our early efforts because of the amazingly talented people who have been
bringing their best work to us. We look forward to continuing that success.
We're especially excited to add unscripted series to our lineup, which opens a
whole new world of storytelling opportunities."

The development titles
join two recently greenlit shows, Raising the Bar from Steven Bochco and Leverage from Dean Devlin, which join the lineup later this
year. TNT is also considering Truth In Advertising, from Greer Shephard and Michael M. Robin, the
executive producers of The Closer.
Scripted series in development include The Genie Chronicles, a fantasy-adventure from DreamWorks Television; Generations, a family drama from executive producer Robert
Redford and writer/executive producer John Sacret Young; and Technophobia, from executive producer Mark Frost, among others.

TNT is also making its
first foray into unscripted series, with several projects in development. Wedding
Day is from Mark
Burnett Productions and DreamWorks Television, while Crimes of the
Century is a new show from Ridley
Scott and Tony Scott. Other unscripted fare in development includes The
Greatest Show On Earth from Mark
Wolper, Lean On Me from former
NBA player and current NBA on TNT announcer Kenny Smith, as well as Shadow
of a Doubt and Behind The
Drama.

The comedy-focused TBS,
meanwhile, has two late-night pilots ordered and three late-night projects in
the works. Primetime projects in development include a sitcom adaptation of
Jane Ganahl's bestselling memoir Naked on the Page: The Misadventures of My
Unmarried Midlife, along with
half-hour comedies from Dave Caplan (The Drew Carey Show) and Brian Hargrove (Titus). For late night, TBS has ordered pilot
presentations of the animated series Stay Tooned (working title) and a new edition of the classic
game show Match Game. TBS is
also working on late-night comedies with Robert Townsend, The Jim Henson Company
and Mark Wolper.

The recently rebranded
truTV (formerly Court TV) has a 10-project development slate that promises to
deliver real-life thrills. Among the projects greenlit to series are Black
Gold, which delves into the
dangerous world of oil drilling; Man Vs. Cartoon, with a team of experts putting Wile E. Coyote's
gadgets and schemes to real-world tests; Principal's Office, a look at how school administrators often serve
as de facto judge and jury when dealing with misbehavior and conflict, and Rich
& Reckless, about how the
privileged sometimes think they are above the law. Projects in development
include Maui Chopper, about
rescue helicopter pilots, and Driving Me Mad, in which bad drivers are given a crash course in
how to navigate the roads.

—By Mansha Daswani